Title
Insurance Coverage for Neighborhood Associations in the City of Oregon City
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Staff recommends the City Commission discuss whether to provide reimbursement to the neighborhood associations for liability and/or directors and officers insurance costs and to discuss the potential impacts of that decision.
BACKGROUND:
Late in 2012, the Citizen Involvement Council asked City staff questions related to liability and directors and officers insurance coverage for neighborhood associations (NA) involved in neighborhood activities.
The City of Oregon City formally recognizes neighborhood associations by resolution which includes an agreement signed by the City and the NA chair. The purpose of the NA, according to the agreement, is to “augment the citizen involvement process in land use related matters,” and to provide a foundation for “a wide range of activities which promote the general health and welfare of the community."
The City Commission agreed at the January 8, 2013 work session that, although the City provides criteria and guidance for the operation of NAs, the associations should remain autonomous in nature if they are to be a legitimate source of public input on land use and other recommendations. The City's insurance company does not provide liability or D&O insurance coverage for NAs because they are not instruments of the City. However, the Commission suggested that the NAs purchase the insurance on their own and the City could potentially reimburse the costs. The Commission asked the neighborhood representatives to bring this potential option before their associations and report their comments back to the Citizen Involvement Council. A representative of the CIC reported back to the Commission on April 3, 2013 that there was consensus that the NAs were interested in acquiring insurance if the City were able to reimburse the costs.
The Commission will discuss in its work session whether to provide reimbursement ...
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